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Sangha Connection Newsletter June 2018

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Sangha Connection Newsletter June 2018 Sangha Connection June 2018 Seeing all who do me harm as equal to some priceless treasure, May I honour them with a mind of joy and great respect, And always, in all my lives to come, may I rely Upon this wondrous conduct born of a noble heart! Khenchen Shenga All our spiritual advisors have given the same advice for the Rigpa sangha — increase your study and practice and keep applying the teachings to whatever is arising for us. There's no shortage of teaching events, practice retreats and study programs giving us the opportunity to do this, either alone or with others. Here is just a taste: since the last newsletter, the UK, Ireland, Holland, and Germany have held national retreats; 100 Dzogchen Mandala students took part in a Tsik Tsum Ne Dek national retreats; 100 Dzogchen Mandala students took part in a Tsik Tsum Ne Dek retreat, and a group traveled to the arid red heart of Australia to practice tsok on Guru Rinpoche Day. Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche gave a sparkling set of teachings and advice in Berlin and will soon teach in London, Dzogchen Beara and Lerab Ling. People across the world travelled to London for a rare Yang Nying Pudri empowerment from Khenchen Pema Sherab who is now in Lerab Ling teaching the Vajrayana section of Jigme Lingpa's Treasury of Precious Qualities which will be offered as an online retreat in June/July. Throughout all of this, every mandala student can tune into the All-Encompassing Path teachings through the sangha gatherings and weekly study to receive a flow of lojong and other teachings. It really is a great banquet of teachings and practice. Dutch and German Spring Retreats - a note from Ian Ives "I had the honour to help hold two national retreats on lojong last month—the first in Amsterdam (10-13 May) with Patrick Gaffney and the second in Berlin (19-21 May). In both of these retreats I experienced firsthand the sometimes dizzying variety of views and perspectives that exist in our community right now, alongside a tremendous feeling of openness, resilience, and love. The lojong teachings are really humbling, and continue to leave me feeling quite raw and almost embarrassed at my own self-focused habits. At their core, however, I feel these teachings invite us to make 'connection' our number one goal—with ourselves and with everyone, regardless of what differences we may seem to have. At times, in both events, what felt more important than the content of the teachings, was the simple fact that we were spending time together—listening to each other, bearing our sore spots, sharing our inspiration for Dharma and learning, especially from one another. These gatherings left me feeling really joyful and grateful that, together with so many incredible people, I had the chance, in even the smallest of ways, to offer my heart to the sangha, immerse myself in the bodhisattva teachings and catch glimpses of just how big our hearts and minds could be." Rigpa's Code of Conduct Ethical conduct based on reasoning and understanding is a bedrock practice of all Buddhist paths. Now, after many rounds of debate, drafting and redrafting, Rigpa's formal Code of Conduct and Shared Values and Guidelines is ready to publish. The first part of the Code uses plain, secular language so that anyone who walks into a Rigpa centre or retreat, whether they are a Buddhist or not, can see the standard of behaviour that is expected. The Shared Values section uses the Buddha's teachings and open, non-prescriptive language to invite us to reflect on our own behaviour within the framework of Buddha's teachings as well as Western contemporary standards. In addition to the Code, a grievance process has been developed. It is easy to use with options for resolving conflicts, receiving formal complaints and making recommendations on misconduct to boards and national teams. Rigpa will set up national councils to offer advice on resolving grievances or investigating breaches of the Code. The ultimate arbiter will be an international council with external members nominated by renowned Buddhist teachers. It is our wish that this council will also serve other Buddhist groups. The Code of Conduct is something for us to make time for in groups and as individuals. We hope it will stimulate personal reflection and community debate. It is a living document to be amended over time. Thank you to the team of dedicated volunteers who have put a huge number of hours into drafting and finalising the documents, and collating and integrating the Rigpa community's feedback. Thanks also to the hundreds people who took the time to offer your feedback and take part in the values workshops in Rigpa centres around the world. Vision Board The Vision Board sent a detailed email to the sangha on 8 May as a way of bringing shared understanding on many key topics to the Rigpa community. If you haven't had the opportunity to read it, please do so as it lays some of the foundations for Rigpa's future. The email is attached. The Vision Board are committed to being close to the sangha. They met with students both formally and informally at the recent retreats in London, Dzogchen Beara, Amsterdam and Berlin and they will be in Lerab Ling to mingle with retreatants during the summer retreats. Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche's Berlin teachings Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche is one of Rigpa's main advisors. In April she visited Berlin and gave advice to the sangha as well as public teachings. Three things struck me - firstly, there was her positivity about the current upheaval. She spoke with such conviction about the strength of the Rigpa sangha and our ability to learn from the situation and transform it. She said Sogyal Rinpoche's fame and Rigpa's size means there has been a big, Rigpa Lerab Ling' (Lerab Ling and Rigpa International) here. As every national Rigpa visible impact. While this may feel personally painful, raw and uncomfortable for us, is a separate legal entity, each has their own Privacy Policy. we should think of the bigger picture. Clearing up misunderstandings about topics such as Vajrayana and the student-teacher relationship will be equally big and visible, and through this Rigpa can make a contribution to a greater understanding of the Dharma in the West. She urged us to seize this opportunity for developing a more mature and genuine Buddhism in the West. She said that if we can use this situation well, then in the future we may say this was a turning point for Buddhism. Transforming a crumbling old church into Australia's National Centre Three years ago Rigpa Australia bought a crumbling old church beside a beautiful park in one of Sydney's most vibrant, inner-city suburbs. It has required massive restoration and renovation but they are now only weeks away from moving in. The project has been a community effort and labour of love. In true 'Aussie' style the sangha will get out their sandpaper and paintbrushes to put the finishing touches to the renovation before the move. The building has already been blessed with visits by Sogyal Rinpoche, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, Ling Rinpoche, Wangdrak Rinpoche and Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel. It's the fulfillment of many aspiration prayers and the beginning of a new chapter for Rigpa Australia. See photos the evolving new centre here. The Independent Investigation The independent investigation by the law firm Lewis Silkin is still in progress. We expect the report in the European summer. When Rigpa receives the report it will be made available to the sangha and shortly afterward to the public. The investigation is being conducted confidentially and independent of Rigpa so until the report is received there is not much to communicate. General Data Protection Regulation (EU) The new General Data Protection Regulation (EU) came into effect on 25 May. We take your data privacy seriously and one of the main steps in response to this regulation is that each Rigpa entity has updated its Privacy Policy to meet the requirements of the new regulation. You can find the Privacy Policy for 'Congregation Rigpa Lerab Ling' (Lerab Ling and Rigpa International) here. As every national Rigpa Rigpa Lerab Ling' (Lerab Ling and Rigpa International) here. As every national Rigpa is a separate legal entity, each has their own Privacy Policy. © 2018 Rigpa, all rights reserved..
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